08/08/08 Sathorn District

My sister called me the other and asked if I could meet her at the Sathorn District Office because Robert, her son is of age to make an official identification card. Although it would have been a busy day, I made arrangement to takeoff in the morning. Barring that nothing went wrong, this official task should have been completed by 10-10.30 the latest. I would have enough time to go to the office and be prepared for the judging.

So I went to the District Office, a new neighborhood for me. I
have past through this road a couple times, but it far and few in between. But this neighborhood seem very familiar to me because one of my ex-colleague lived in the area. I didn't know exactly where but some of the buildings were mentioned inhis conversations. I recognized the neighborhood.

I was early, so I took coffe in the store across the street. A typical store in a typical Thai neighborhood. Is there any charm in this neighborhood. Perhaps, but nothing like the neighborhood in
NYC. Nothing like Greennich Village. The closest neighborhood in NYC I canthink of is the Spanish Harlem, up at 135 street where I lived with Paul and Peter.

Then my sister called me to tell me that she's running late because she's forgotten the papers in her office. But she wasn't so far away that I wasn't worry. So I tookout my camera and walked the neighborhood. Explore a new neighborhood.










I found the neoghborhood interstingly bland. This is what I mean. Unless, I lived in the neighborhood, I wouldn't know anything about the neighborhood at all. The neighborhood has one small charm--the District garden. A small corner of green in a typiucally bland neighborhood.










Of course, I found the typical food store and some other stores. For a small neighborhood, I found it to have many hair salons. I didn't picturesof the hair salon except for this spa that advertise massages. It didn't look much of a spa, more like a neighborhood massage place.

I also found these BMA bikes parked outside the district office. They appear to be for rent. I see some people riding them around the district compound. I believe they belong to BMA and is for BMA workers to use. Well, this korning, nobody was using them.

Bangkok Culture and Art Centre

Bangkok has its first art centre. Its about time. Brand, spanking, new culture centre across MBK and Siam Discovery. This ensures pedestrian traffic like myself, who is just curious
of what's inside.

I came by on Sunday but my camera exhausted its battery. Boo hoo. SO I came back again today. My camera fully charged and raring to go. I get into the building and I find nothing but white space. These white spaces remind me of the Guggenheim Museum san paintings, of course.

WHile this museum is smaller in scale and does nothave the ramp in the cone architecture of the Guggenheim. Look at the spherical shapes and
one is remined of the Guggenheim. Although it been years, I always loved the Guggenheim because of the Picasso and other modern artist. And like all museum in New York, its veryinspiring. One day I will go back NYC, the love of my life, and visit the museums and all that I miss about that city.

During the weekend, there is suppose of be an art market outside the building. This would be a wonderful space to visit. But, today













there is nothing outside but dark clouds that look like rain. Well, it did rain, but whenI was about to get home so I able to take picture of the exterior of thebuilding. Also some other picturtres which will of another topic altogether.

The sad part of the whole excursion is that the building is so empty. The Emptiness wasn't so inspiring.

Indoor Arts

I went to the Bangkok Art Centre, the new building across from MBK with all the intention of taking photos. But when I got there, my battery died on me--so no new photos. So I'll be going back, perhaps tomorrow and take the photos I wanted.

The Bangkok Art and Culture Centre was commissioned by HRH Princess Sirindhorn, our beloved princess. And like her father, HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), is a "renaissance" person. She is adept in the Arts, Music, languages, literature,
etc. Thus, it's not surprising that building would be commissioned by her and on that spot, adjacent to of the 'young' scene--Siam.

What to do, what to. I taken hundred of photos recently so I went back and selected some recent pictures. These are pictures taken of indoor art exhibitions. The first four were taken a couple of weeks ago, indoor at Siam Paragon. The exhibition was a good one, basically a retrospective of modern art in Thailand with
narrative on the historical timeline.

One of these days, I ill trot down to the pier where the Art University--Silpkorn--and take a photography walk. Go and see the up and coming artists. I still have to go to Chiang Mai and select where I am going to retire. Enough of this long list of what to do.

I was experimenting with the family of elephants. I love elephants, actually animal figurines. And I am not quite sure if this
women figure is sleeping, lying down or standing. She must by lying down because she was displayed that way. Can you figure out the figure on the left. I looked and looked, and can't seem to figure it out. I guess its a women sitting in the rabbit pose but her arms are not stretched out in front. Yeah, yoga.

So these were pictures from a real art exhibition by real artist. You can see it when you see the flowing pictures. The photoof animal figurines which are meant for the garden. I think they are cute and lovely, but like garden gnome, its a matter of taste.


A family of pigs or a family of frog (or toads) for your garden? Including a fountain too. Very good for the feng shui.





If your building won't allow little pooches, how about the bronzies? Something to consider. . . .not.










Bronze musicians to serenade for your garden party?

Skywalk with a View

Looking through all my photos, I have a few photos of a different view. The following are photos of the skywalk at the Silom junction.

This the outdoor garden of Au Bon Pain at the Zuellig Building. Nice little niche between the cracks. I checked it out, small green hideaway in the middle of the business district. A place worth re-siting on the ground level.

I can't ait until I get my home situation sorted out. By then I will be inclined to go out on Saturday or Sunday afternoon with my trusty camera(s) to take pictures of my neighborhood.

Not very often I get to go to Silom area on the weekend--not even on the weekday to say the least. So I got on ground level and took some pictures of differnt things.

The Dusit Thani Hotel, the home of the 2005 Miss Universe Pageant. and the oldest fully Thai-owned and managed international chain of hotels. At any rate, back in the 70s, this building was the tallest building in Bangkok back then. Now, its a drawf among the skyscrappers mushrooming skyward in this city of Angels. Well, the landmark on the corner of central business district - Silom Road. A great spot, because it across from Lumpini Park. which is marked by the monument of King Vajiravudh or Rama VI. When I was growing up, this spot was as beautiful as it is at the present time.

Lumpini Park eill be another site where I should visit with my camera.
It's a lovely park and I should visit again, especially in the morning when people are out in droves, dancing tai chi, practice yoga, and floats through
the sound of music.

Before the construction of the 'Thai-Japanese' bridge, one would have a clear view of Rama VI statue. No roads, bridges or cars. Fortunately, I snapped a few photos and surreptitiously, caught one with cars or people. Unless you are standing in front of the statue, you can the statue through the tiers of road. An interest perspective, the roads create a frame for the picture, don't you think? When I was growing up, the monument was not crowded by the cluster of buildings on the background. There only a bunch of trees and green. It's very different now, forty years later. The
whole city have changed.

A similar perspective, but from another angle. The building the the
middle of it all. The BTS, the bridges and the roadway. Yes, I have to get out more. Cartoonize the picture and one might be able to imagine "The
Jettsons" sipping around the sky. The Jettson is one of my favorite futurist cartoon. They should be it back.

Bangkok at night

Bangkok is really beautiful atnight with its bright lights and night shopping. Once again, these are some pictures from the hearat of the city--the Gaysorn intersection.

On the left, its the Erawan shrine at night, taken from the BTS Skywalk. It's not as busy in the evening, but people still come and worship and ask forfavors from the holy idol. These is a perpetual rumor,that in the wee hours of the morning, sometimes, a dane troupe will be hired to dance 'au natural'. Sccording to P' Sue, she
denies the rumor but does implies that there is a videotape of such dance troupe.

And this is the other side ofthe skywalk. Central World, once known as World Trade. Once t was my big project which made me feel important. It was good while it lasted. And it completely different from what was envisioned back then.

I always liked the poster of the Burberry nstore. It's the nice
fashion style and fashion statement. So ehen I get a chance, I take a picture of it. One of these day, I'll have toline them up and see what th outvcomr will be.

I have to take more picture. I have to go to different places to take the photos. I have to take more pictures at night. I hae to do all of this to create more reportoire and more photo gallery for people to see.

Vist your sister at work day

House hunting brought me over to Soi 49 which made it possible for me to visit my sister at her work. Alas, when I arrived, she just left. It was fine with me because it gave some time to take pictures around the area- the area of the house,both inside and outside.

The bakery shop is known for it egg tarts, and this particular branch, it fried dough. One can get these fried dough, mostly in the morning and usually from a vendor in the marketplace. Most of the time, the vendor probably re-used the oil that dough iwas fried in, so it is not so healthy. However, it very tasty.

Since tis a high-class joint, they made an executive decision to fried dough late morning into the afternoon. Still suits the crowd well because they are women of leisure and lunches. And living up to the 'hi-so' superlatives, they do not re-use the oil. 'Fried with fresh vegetable oil daily' is probably their by-line. 5555

Well, I wasn't there for the fried dough. I was there because I want the low-down on the sale of the house from my sister. But, alas, she wasn't there.

Since I have lots of time in my hands, I whip out my camera and took photos of the shop and the area round it. Here are just some pictures from today.

So I explore outside and upstairs. The area upstairs is not used and its like their storage area. I love to explore places where I haven't been in a while. The last time I was there, must be two Novembers ago. Gee, I really don;t get out much do I?

So discovered some old toys and balloons. Looks like discards of an children's party. The balloon reminds me of 'Alice in Wonderland'. My favorite quote:
“The time has come,” the Walrus said,
“To talk of many things:
Of shoes—and ships—and sealing wax—
Of cabbages—and kings—
And why the sea is boiling hot—
And whether pigs have wings.”

Well, the lantern upoin the red background reminds of 'danger' entering the red light district. In olden days, a red lantern hung outside a house means its a house of ill-reputes.

Then the view of the chandelier from above. Looks lie a dandelilion in space. The view from downstairs, upwards, makes the dandelion look like a chandelier. Go figure.

360 view of a head

There is an outdoor sculpture exhibition at Paragon. Some really nice sculptures, from 'realism' to the 'sublime'. The fact that its held in a space outdoor between two malls makes the environment part of the sculpture, I think.













The four corners of this head, showing different vantage point of the head. I really like the last photo. It almost like one could see the fleeing thought in the head. I like it so much I entered it in the photo contest and guess what, I got a vote.

It was the evening, and the sun was about to set. The lighting would be different if it was taken at midday. Nevertheless, it's a very different point of view.

Out of my Comfort Zone

Usually I would either go to my favorite Starbucks and read or goto Yoga before I went home. This evening, I didn't my yoga gear and I didn't go to want to go to Starbucks. So went my colleagues invited me to Central Ladproa to go shopping, I tagged along.

On the way to our destination, my colleagues, who always known to to be eater, were thinking of dinner. One was saying that she wants to eat light like vegetables. The one wanted something
spicy like Thai. Easy enough, there are plenty of places where both desires could be fulfilled. However, it didn't stop there, they continued on and on about which restaurant they would like to eat and what they would eat. After a few rounds of bantering, back and forth between the two of them, the vegetables were gone and spicy seafood came into play. They turned to me and asked if I would mind eating in a hole in the wall. I guess they don't know me well enough.

Before we can eat, we went shopping. That was the sole purpose of come to this place. These are some photos of outside area where are some kiosks where everything is sold. Here are some T-shirt with funny sayings that my colleagues seem to enamored with. Then inside, they were selling shoes, trainers for half price. In the past I would jump at it because of aerobics but now I do yoga, so no trainers necessary.

Women and sales do mix. Before we can shop, we have to get lost first. They have no idea to find store they want to visited - "Lyn". even though I don't frequent this shopping mall, I remember that its on the ground floor not far from where we were. But the girls didn't trust me, probably logically so, but I found ther store without asking for information. One
point for me.

And shopping and window shopping we did. Most of the time was spent waiting and window shopping for my colleagues. It just re-enforces my ambivalent feeling about going back to the US. I'll go and shop, shop, and shjop.

In varying degree of damage to the pocketbook, I did the least. Even though Jaeb didn't get anything but a couple of T-shirts, she did lend here credit card to Note to buy her coveted sunglasses. Doesn't she look beautiful in her sunglasses.

She was so proud of her new sunglasses that she wanted to wear it to sleep. At any rate, she was off the next day and planned to go to her mother's because they were going to take a trip to Cambodia. She was so proud of her sunglasses that when she went to her mother's place, she forgot her wallet at home. 55555

The Fountain

Dancing fountain on the CW grounds would make an interesting series if I knew how to work my camera properly. I tried.

I guess it would make a nice, but boring video.n If I knew how to do it on video. So I need to spend some time on eht manual. Back to school again.

I took the weekend off from house hunting because I kind of had it enough. So I went to yoga, two yoga classes in fact. After, I went back to CW to get pictures of the exhibition and fountain in th I just have to spend more time, with lots of patiences, to get my desired pictures.

But these pictures are nice. I have to learn to use Photoshop so I can get
my desired picture.

The group that I joined for the photo context purposes will have to be ended soon because the founder don't have time for it. But for two weeks I entered two photographs and got two votes. that more than I expected.

Next month, if JT keeps his plan, there will be photo workshop about taking pictures around BKK. I am looking forward to it because the last time I went to the workshop, I got lost. This time I have to confirm by phone. That would be great, I just have to get my offer on the books and then get settled so I can get off my butt.

Besides I have to get off the BTS and see the world beyond the line.
I don't even go to MRT because I am not familiar. Venture off my comfort zone. I know there lots more beautiful places in BKK and Thailand to take photos. I am geting tried of taking photos of the same areas and shrines and spirit house. But I still find them as good subjects (oy vay). I wish I have the means and time to travel and do so.

Do you see any subtle changes in the photos like the level of the water, and amount of the direct sunlight? I hope you do because I see them.